Are you asking if you can take mag citrate that they sent you home with, or if it's wise to go get some mag citrate to add on top of what was taken at the hospital?

It sounds to me as if your problem might be a build up of scar tissue and you are not being able to eliminate everything from your pouch properly.  The small stools generally is what that means.  I go to be dilated about once a year to make that opening wider.  I used to think it was a obstuction also but I would call your colerectal surgeon and go in to see him.  Regular ERs tend to think that we are some kind of aliens and they pretend to know what a j pouch is but most do not.  If you go back to the ER I would go to a ER that does these surgeries.  No ER that is not familiar with this will be much help.  Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and are chewing your food very good also.  But if the problem is with scare tissue mag citrate is not the best thing to take because it will make you go to the bathroom more and you will not be able to eliminate it. Like I said I would go to the hospital ER that did your surgery they are much more knowledgeable.

Debbie

Mag citrate is basically the same family as Epsom salts. It encourages the gut to flush itself clean with copious amounts a water.  Its over the counter so considered safe and if it's what the doc prescribed you is just give it a go

Whether it will fix your issue or not is another matter but I can't see it could hurt?

hey everyone, one of most painful obstructions I've ever had.

Went to Beth Israel in Boston.  Surgery team says from scans they really think I may need to have my bowel re-sectioned/joined at the anastamosis point from the first surgery in 1999.

they say this because there has been multiple obstructions since my adhesion removal.

Thoughts?

i forgot to add that it has narrowed over years which is why i get obstructions.

I have that a little bit but I also have a problem with strictures and scar tissue around my anus which I do not think I have anymore lol  Sometimes it is hard to figure out which one it is.  I will be going back in for a dilation to see if that helps but I know I have what you have also I only ever had a obstruction there once and yes it is terrible.  I was concerned about you taking that stuff they gave you because when you have a obstruction most everything is stopped by mouth.  There are also medicines that can relieve that too and if I feel like there is a problem starting up that could be a blockage I take a librax which seems to help.  Are those the surgeons that did your original surgery and are experienced with a j pouch?

Hi Debby, not the original surgeons, but very respected at Beth Israel in Boston.  I slept at home last night. It seems anything I try eating now causes bloating.  Feels like IBS.  I'm just trying herbal tea, bananas, light soup.  Thanks for your concern.

You know you sound exactly like what I went through I had thought it was a obstruction up higher but my doctor at the CC told me that was the back pressure from not being able to eliminate my pouch totally and I became very gasy.  My I did have a obstruction also at one time and the two are similar feelings, after that I did not know if when I had similar complications if it was a obstruction or I needed to be dilated again. Be careful with the bananas they have a lot of fiber in them.  Many times if I have a problem I will even buy baby bananas that also helps with potassium.  Like I said librax helps too for both things.  Hopefully you will just get a appt asap and see your colerectal surgeon for a check up.

thanks, I'll ask about the dilation. I've never had that done and I'm starting to get angry that a doctor has never mentioned it.